Chrysler announces they will add 900 jobs at suburban Detroit plant

Chrysler will keep open a suburban Detroit plant they had planned to shut down in 2012. Another Chrysler plant hosted President Obama on Friday.

ByTom Krisher, Associated PressJuly 30, 2010

President Barack Obama examines the car door during his tour of the Jefferson North Chrysler Plant in Detroit, July 30, where the Jeep Grand Cherokee is assembled. Chrysler announced Friday they will add 900 jobs at another suburban Detroit plant.

Detroit — Chrysler Group LLC said Friday that it will add nearly 900 jobs at a factory in suburban Detroit and spare it from a planned closure. The decision is a show of optimism that consumers will embrace the company's refurbished midsize sedans.

The automaker made the announcement at another Detroit-area plant just before President Barack Obama spoke there about the success of the government-funded auto industry bailout.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters that the Sterling Heights factory will stay open beyond its planned closing date in 2012. In addition to the updated Sebring and Avenger, the plant will get the next-generation Chrysler midsize car that will be on a new undercarriage, Marchionne said.

Companies that make parts for the Sebring and Avenger, and the Sebring convertible, which also is built at the plant, are expected to add 500 jobs.

The company "probably" will add a third shift to the Jefferson North plant after it starts making a new Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle in the fourth quarter. But that will depend on demand for the new vehicle, Marchionne said.

It recently added about 1,100 workers at the plant for a second shift to make the Grand Cherokee.

Marchionne said the additional jobs at Sterling Heights would be a combination of laid-off workers from other factories and new hires. He said he did not know how many jobs would be created but said some of the new hires will make around $14 an hour, about half the pay of older workers.